01204 [email protected] NEWSLETTERBolton Branch LOCAL GOVERNMENT ANDSCHOOLS PAY OFFER 2026 WE ASKED FORan increase of £3000 or 10% whichever is greatera minimum of £15 per hour for all staffa two-hour reduction in the working weekan increase of one days annual leaveschool support staff to take a days paid annual leave duringterm time COST OF LIVINGWATER BILLS UP 26% ENERGY BILLSUP 13% FOOD UP 5.9% RENT 5.7%THEY OFFERED US 3.3%ON ALL PAY POINTS.Preparations are being made forthe next steps and you will hearsoon. In the meantime, pleasemake sure your details are up todate phone numbers and personalemails.We will keep you up todate but we can only do thistogether.WE DESERVETO BE PAID AFAIR WAGEA big thank you for allthe Easter Egg donationsfor our Endeavour appeal.As always, you cametogether to give andsupport those whoneeded it.MARCH TOGETHER - SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2026THOn Saturday 28th March a coach full of UNISON activists travelled to London to join thenational demonstration “March Together”against the far right. They joined tens of thousandsof people in the capital in what has been called the largest ever match against the far righton record.Our very own Andrea Egan addressed the crowd.“Trade unions have always stood on theside of unity and fairness. UNISON sees solidarity in action every day with people workingside by side delivering public service's in our care homes, NHS, schools and councils. Thepolitics of hate and division cannot be allowed to go unchallenged. UNISON has a long andproud history of challenging racism and all forms of discrimination”Joint Branch Secretary Christine Collins said “The march was a show of true British unity anda mixture of culture, nationality, race, gender, backgrounds and a true reflection of whatmakes our country great. It gave us that sense of hate will never win because we are manyand they are few.”
BRANCH NEWSLETTERBolton BranchOur Joint Branch Secretaries Christine andJo and Joint Assistant Branch SecretarySam were out supporting our fellowcomrades on the picket line this month.Wejoined members from the Northern CareAlliance supporting the ICU nurses.We also joined porter drivers at Greater ManchesterMental Health Hospital.They requested a job evaluationwhich was found to be in their favour but was thenrejected by the employer.They were demanding fair payfor the vital work they do.UPDATE after 27 days of industrial actionTHEY HAVE WON !!They will now be moved to Band 3 with backpay to July 2024. WELL DONE !!This is what organising and standing together can do.STRIKECAMPAIGNSINTERNATIONAL WORKERSMEMORIAL DAY 2026On Tuesday 28 April a group of Bolton trade unionthactivists marched with banners from the Hub in Boltonto Bolton Town Hall to commemorate InternationalWorkers Memorial Day. Following a minute’s silence,wreaths were laid on the IWMD stone and speecheswere given on the Town Hall steps.One was by our very own Health & Safety officer,Tracey Rigby who spoke about the dailychallenges workers face in order to work in a safeenvironment. The second was by a gentlemancalled Lal from Salford UNISON who spoke aboutthe fair visa campaign and highlighted theexploitation of migrant workers and the lives lostby those who choose to come and work in Britain.
BRANCHNEWSLETTERBolton BranchDO YOU USE YOURCAR FOR WORK?If so, have your say in UNISON’s nationalsurvey which is aiming to tackle the“MILEAGE GAP”Are you left out of pocket using your car?This is a very real issue for many of ourmembers especially in the current fuelcrisis. Our hard-working frontline staffshouldn’t have to pay out themselves todo their jobs.WE DESERVE BETTER ANDBY WORKING TOGETHER WECAN ACHIEVE THISPLEASE SCAN THE QR CODE BELOWAND COMPLETE THE SURVEY ANDHAVE YOUR SAYSAVE THE DATE!! - NEW WOMEN’S GROUP 6 JUNETHThis will be an informal group,with the aim of empowering women and building confidence.We will network andhave a free space tochat openly about anywork issues andchallenge issues wemay all be dealingwith.We want to enableyour voice to beheard, to get advicefrom other membersand to allow womento meet especially ifyou’re lonely orisolated.We will have CAKE and guest speakers and a soundbath at the end to help you relax.Does this sound like something you may be interested in?If so please contact the Branch Office on 01204 247947 or email [email protected] let us know. More details to follow
BRANCHNEWSLETTERBolton BranchOn Sunday mornings from 3rd May to13th September Active Bolton areoffering free yoga sessions in QueensPark 9.30am, open to all, no need tobook, just bring a mat.The start of April saw a new chapter for Bolton’s leisureservices. Following a successful tendering applicationfrom Active Bolton, they will now be looking after theleisure services across the borough of Bolton. They willbe offering services across six sites in Bolton fromswimming and gym classes to hosting communitygroups. Active Bolton are a registered charity with 25years experience at Bolton Arena. All staff have beentransferred from Serco.NEW NAME IN LEISUREOur convenors, Phil Chaninand Lauren Alergant have beenholding regular 10 minute talksacross Bolton Council and Boltonschools. If you would like them tovisit your workplace please contactthe Branch Office.The UNISON memberengagement questionnaireis still open. If you have aspare 2 minutes please fill itin and let us know what youthink.What you say matters.REMEMBER YOU ARE THE UNIONWould you like tohelp members byhaving a more activerole in UNISON?You could be aworkplace contact orsteward? If you decidedto, you will be providedwith support andtraining throughoutyour journey. Contactthe branch for moreinformation.As a branch we want toinspire and supportmembers all the time.From courses inMaths and English tocourses in menopauseawareness and digitalphotography, our UNISONlearning page is for you.